1) Who is sending this message and what is the author’s purpose?
The film is created by Robert Compton, an American documentarian and entrepreneur who has worked in software and computer business as well as traveled to multiple countries around the world. His purpose for creating the documentary, 2 Million Minutes: A Global Examination seems to be bringing attention to the fact that American high school students score far below students in other countries in math, science, and technology. The film compares high school students’ lives in three different countries (the U.S.A., China, and India) to highlight the obvious differences between America and the other countries.
2) What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?
The film switches from one country to the next addressing similar topics in each segment in order to make it easy for the audience to compare each country’s school system, educational culture, and students. Background music is played in various segments. The music is often louder during the American segments than in the segments shot in India or China. Occasionally video game and other graphics, such as a simulated cartoon car race, are included to focus specific attention and provide a visual for a statistic. While the students are talking, visuals of other aspects of their lives are shown, like shots with friends or family and shots of class sessions or extracurricular activities.
3) What lifestyles, values, and points of view are represented in this message?
The main points of view come from six students, including a male and female high school student from China, India, and the United States. It provides the views and values of the students’ parents as well. All of the commentators seem to be American either by birth or by immigration. Most commentators have some tie to math, science, or technology either through an educational or business setting. The commentators are linked to one or more of the countries within the documentary. All of the students have educated parents and are not living at a poverty level. Both American students were white students living in a wealthy school district which reflects only a majority, affluent lifestyle.
4) How might different people interpret this message differently?
Some people might view it as being aimed at school systems and the need to change the public school system in America to better compete in global assessments and job markets. Others might view it as a message about American society and how societal expectations and culture need to change in order for students to place a higher priority on quality education. People might interpret the message as specifically praising China and India’s educational systems as opposed to other countries around the world. I wonder if some people would even focus on the fact that the Indian school was a for-profit school and consider this film as promoting this type of educational system in America.
5) What is omitted from this message?
This message omits any views of secondary educators in America or in any of the other countries within the documentary. The film focuses on math, science, and technology and largely omits any academic success in any other subject area. The film centers on high school education only and does not provide background information on any earlier education the students received. Since the film ends as the students are just beginning college, the message also omits the final outcome of these students’ academic endeavors leaving the audience wondering if these students graduate with these careers and succeed at their career goals later on.
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